In the 2011 index—which compares similar four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in 30 countries—the least-expensive market of all is the beach resort town of Salinas, Ecuador…where fancy high-rise condos overlook the beautiful blue Pacific and the average selling price is just $75,000.

It’s so inexpensive to live in Ecuador, in fact, that you can have it all—a relaxing beach getaway and a city pied-a-terre or a cool mountain hideaway…or maybe all three. We know expats here who are doing exactly that.

So how best to check out Ecuador’s beautiful beaches? Give yourself 10 days and you can see most of the top hotspots. (And I use that term loosely….most of Ecuador’s beach towns are small rustic fishing villages. Besides the fishermen and a few curious dogs or cows, you’ll likely have the beach to yourself in most of them.)

The top beach cities with any kind of amenities are Bahia de Caráquez, Manta and Salinas (from north to south). There are lots of little fishing villages along the way including the hippie/surfer hotspots of Canoa (north of Bahia de Caráquez) and Montañita (north of Salinas). Playas, just an hour from Guayaquil, is another beach town worth a look.

But no matter where you trek you’ll find bargains at hand. If you’ve always wanted to have a home right on the beach, there is no better place to go shopping…

For instance, how does a 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home on a 2,000-square-foot beachfront lot near Playas sound? Price: $52,000.

Or a brand-new two-story, three-bedroom beachfront home in a gated community—also in Playas—with a pool and social area: $89,000.

In hip and happening Salinas, you can pick up a 750-square-foot, one-bedroom oceanview condo for just $47,500—and that’s fully furnished and with a parking space and storage bodega!

There are deals like these to be had all along the coast….

In Canoa, the lively surfer town I mentioned, brand new condos are being built right on the beachfront. Nothing to block your view of the beautiful ocean blue. There will be an infinity pool and each 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo will have an ocean view from the living room, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom. Price: $95,000.

So what are you waiting for? Parts of this coastline will remind you of sunny California….but the prices definitely won’t. If you’ve been dreaming of a home on the beach, there’s no better place than Ecuador to find one that’s affordable. This little country is big on beauty and adventure and HUGE when it comes to value!